Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb

The Sydney Harbor Bridge climb was a last minute decision.  My Sigma sister Tess was coming to Sydney for the weekend and was wondering what fun things to do.  I told her the bridge climb was popular, or we could always just walk over the bridge.  Thank goodness we decided to climb the bridge.  I think it is my favorite thing about Sydney.  There is something so magical about being in the night sky looking over at the Sydney Opera house and Sydney.

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take cameras up, but the tour we were on took some nice pictures, and even a video!

 Alyssa is photoshoped in so professionally by Kelsey :)

Coogi to Bondi Beach Walk

We did the Coogi to Bondi Beach Walk.  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful coastal walk.  The 5k walk was long, but definitely worth it.

Taronga Zoo

I went to the zoo this weekend, which was fun and beautiful weather.  There were all types of animals, Australian and other!  Here are some pictures from the trip!

Vegemite

I tried Vegemite and it tasted...salty.

Here is a lovely picture of me and my new favorite snack.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

I love animals!!!

I went to the Featherdale Wildlife Park with two of my friends, Emma and Bessie.  We went on a day where it was drizzley, so the park was fairly empty.  That was nice because we got more time interacting with the animals.  Unfortunately the park wasn't so empty that I could sneak a kangaroo home, but it was still a successful day!

We pet koalas, fed and pet kangaroos, fed a large emu, saw an aligator and dingos and so much more!

 The above kangaroo has a baby in its pouch!!

Huge birds!

Surf Camp

Surf Camp was awesome and freezing!

Our first lesson we learned the parts of the sufboard (I wasn't really listening...oops).  Then we leaned how to 'catch' a wave.  Pretty much you get on the surfboard and hang your feet off the back (stern maybe) because if you are too far forward on the board you will nosedive.  Then you paddle like mad and when the wave comes to you paddle two more times and stand up.  Sounds easy right?

Wrong! It's hard and chilly.  And the instructors made sure to warn us to not have the surfboard in between us and the wave or else it would knock us over.  I learned this lesson firsthand and have the bruise to prove it!

Anyway, I did get up once for about two seconds, and luckily got a pic!

So all in all, surfing is fun, but cold in wintertime!

Vivid Festival

Every hour on the hour there is a Vivid water show on the Harbor.  It has music, lights, and (of course) water! (And cool water effects)  I went to a 'Rock Music' Themed show last night.  Here are some pictures and videos I took (not the best quality, sorry!)

Check out Vivid's website here...http://www.vividsydney.com/

Surf Camp Australia!

I signed up from for a Surf camp for a weekend in June! Yay!

Cruise around Sydney Harbor

Last night we took a cruise around the Sydney Harbor.  It was beautiful.  We saw the Opera house and it was every bit as amazing as it looks in pictures.  I wasn't originally planning on seeing a show at the Opera house, but BU will reimburse us $30 dollars if we decide to see a show.  I think I might as well see a show!

Here are some pictures from the harbor cruise!  I didn't get good pictures of Vivid, but the picture are still beautiful!

Look What I Bought!

Bessie and I went shopping today and bought kangaroo meat!  We have no idea how to cook it, but we will learn! Stay tuned for a post about how cooking it goes!

Safe in Sydney!

Hi Everyone.

I am safe in Sydney!  Our plane was delayed in Brisbane for about an hour because of fog in Sydney, and somehow instead of getting to Sydney at 6 in the morning, we got there around 10:30.  Then we had orientation sessions all day which was a little overwhelming but helpful.  Kudos to the program for keeping us up all day to help with our jetlag.  They have been doing the Sydney Internship Program for about 20 years, so I guess they know what they are doing by now.

The location of the BU dorms/academic building (they are right next to each other) is extremely convenient   It is right of Broadway, a main road in Sydney, and a two minute walk from a bus and train station.  There are many shops and restaurants and bars around, and I can't wait to explore!  We went to a nearby mall for lunch yesterday, and instead of an escalator, they had slanted people-movers (moving sidewalks!)  It was really interesting.

I think that our apartment is near Chinatown, because there are a lot of Chinese restaurants around here.  There is also a lot of Indian and Thai food. I'm impressed at how diverse Sydney is.

I'm sure I have much more to report, but I'm off to lunch/grocery shopping with my new friend Bessie! (Did I mention we have to cook for ourselves?)

Leave me a comment and say hello!

Bye for now :)

Suitcases

Not my actual suitcases but my dad assures me that the plastic one is a certified samsonite suitcase from the 1970s!

Best Travel Tips

Hi Everyone!

22 days until I fly to Sydney, and I'm so pumped!  I'm starting to make a packing list, and it's so exciting, but a little overwhelming!

Any advice?  Post your best travel tip in a comment below!